Heavy Metal. Hard Rock. Music.

SLIPKNOT Drummer Remembers Late Bassist On One-Year Anniversary Of His Death

SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison has posted the following message on his Facebook profile on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the death of the band’s bassist, Paul Gray:

“Hey Paul,

“It was so great hanging out with you yesterday and today. Talking and reminiscing about old times and seeing you respond with some of the strongest gusts of wind I’ve ever felt.

“Paul, you always told it like it was. You’re the same guy that wouldn’t let me stay home on New Year’s Eve back in 1992, and once drove over in four feet of snow during a storm, just to hang out! There was no one like you. That’s why you were my best friend.

“All the music that we’ve done together, all the times that we’ve shared, will live on forever. I miss you each and every day.

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you eternally for your support on this difficult day. You’re keeping us and Paul‘s memory alive.

“There were supposed to be five days of tornadoes and rain here in Iowa, but the sun came out stronger than it has all year. It’s good to know Paul‘s keeping an eye on things.

“This is a horrible thing that happened, but each of you has made this just a little bit easier to deal with. Your support means everything to us.

“Thank you, Nathan Jonas Jordison.”

Paul Gray was found dead in a hotel room in a Des Moines, Iowa suburb last May at the age of 38 from an overdose of morphine.

For SLIPKNOT‘s upcoming shows in 2011, the band has asked Donnie Steele to fill in for Gray on bass.

Donnie was the original guitar player in SLIPKNOT and had actually reconnected with Paul in recent years.

Commented the band: “Donnie was in the band at the very beginning, and rather than get an outsider, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Paul to play with someone from within the family. Donnie was great friends with Paul and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his memory than with someone who was there with us at the very beginning. The eight of us are looking forward to being onstage again and honoring Paul‘s legacy with our families in Europe and Brazil this summer.”